The establishment of the foundation artica Svalbard

November 16 2016

Press release from Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 17 November 2016

Along with Fritt Ord and the Cultural Business Development Foundation Sparebank1 Nord-Norge, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is establishing the new foundation called Artica Svalbard, to pave the way for art and cultural activities on Svalbard.

The Artica Svalbard Foundation will have several objectives:

  • Help develop the field of Norwegian art and culture by encouraging artists in all genres to create and communicate art;
  • Strengthen cultural and creative industry on Svalbard and generally promote interest in Svalbard as a destination;
  • Have an international and Arctic focus and, through public events, help focus on and discuss the importance of the High North.

“I hope that culture workers and artists from all fields can draw inspiration from the unique nature on Svalbard. Along with the private co-founders, we would like to promote international interest in Svalbard and the High North, and to contribute to the development of art in Norway”, comments Minister of Culture Linda Hofstad Helleland.

News

Mykhailo Tkach

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.

The 2025/26 Monitor survey

June 17 2026

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Institute for Social Research (ISF) invite you to the launch of a report and a subsequent discussion on Monday, 8 June 2026, from 9.00 to 11.00 am, at Fritt Ord’s premises at Uranienborgveien 2 in Oslo.

Where do people draw the line when it comes to freedom of expression, and what do they believe to be the greatest threats to an informed debate at a time characterised by unrest, crises and international conflicts? Do they feel there is sufficient diversity of opinion and enough room for divergent viewpoints? And how do people assess access to truthful and relevant information in a media landscape featuring new formats, new voices and artificial intelligence?